The chromatic scale can really bring out the funk in a bass player. During a song, you can ride out on a G, and then chromatically walk your way up to a B. This way, you get a completely different sound than a normal bland change from G to B. Let's break down that idea.
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In music there are 12 notes if you include flat and sharps. A Bb B C Db D Eb E F F# G Ab and back to A. Now, if you play all of these notes together in succession, you will have the chromatic scale! So, we have a chromatic scale, but it obviously does not sound that great just playing up and down the scale. The chromatic scale can be better used with a major, a minor, or even a blues scale. Learning to incorporate chromatics into your playing can make you a really funky player, or really jazzy if you choose.
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Now, returning to our G to B switch... Grab your bass and lay down a simple rhythm on the E string 3rd fret. After you figure out a simple rhythm, take that rhythm and play it on the A string 2nd fret.
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Basically, what you have is a simple rhythm with two notes, G and B; now for the chromatics. Start with the rhythm you used on the G, but instead of switching straight from the G to the B, try this: get your funk on and walk up the fretboard chromatically to the B (G Ab A Bb B). Then, finish out the rhythm on the B, and you can even walk back down to the G (B Bb A Ab G). Playing each note on the chromatic scale between two points is the easiest way to incorporate chromatics into your playing.
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Since you have mastered “walking” up and down using chromatics steps, let's work on something a little different. This method uses a two note progression like before, but this time, use A and E. Play the A on the E string at the 5th fret, then jump up a perfect fifth to the A string, 7th fret. Lay down a groove with these two notes, changing between them every few beats. Now, instead of walking straight up to the next note, add an A between each chromatic note. So, you will begin on A; before you go to the E play A; continue this patter with Db A D A Eb A E. Notice that if you take out the A, you are left with a simple chromatic scale walking up from the A to the E.
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If you are struggling, it may be easier to play the A with the A string open instead of the E string at the 5th fret. Then, you can simply alternate between frets 0 4 0 5 0 6 0 7 on the A string.
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Here is the entire lesson in one video in case you want to follow from start to finish.
Using the chromatic scale, you instantly have two ways to jazz up your bass rhythms. Good luck!